Looking for essential safety tips for kids during your family vacation? While we often picture vacation as the pinnacle of relaxation, it can quickly become stressful and overwhelming with kids. We prepare lists and pack for many people, and just like we plan ahead for lodging, food, and fun, safety is also on our radar. Here are five vacation safety tips from your friends at GameTruck. 

Tip 1: Make Sure to have a plan if you get separated.

Even with intense preparation, a parent’s worst nightmare can become a reality: losing your child. One of the best things to help prevent this situation is having a conversation(s) about what to do if they get separated from you. 

Before you enter your destination, ensure that everyone knows what color and types of clothing the family is wearing. If someone gets lost, you will be able to give information to others. 

Additionally, teach children that if they do get lost to stop, breathe, and look. They need to stop moving, take big breaths, and look around in a circle for you. 

Tip 2: Consider a SafetyTat.

A SafetyTat is a temporary, water-resistant tattoo with important information on it. If a child gets lost, they may not know or forget your information due to fear. A SafetyTat is pre-printed with your contact information. It also can include vital information like “non-verbal” needed for a friendly adult trying to assist your child. Allergies can also be printed onto a SafetyTat.  

Tip 3: Wear bright clothing. 

The easiest way to stand out is to be memorable. The same applies to this safety principle; plus, you can turn it into a fun family activity. From matching family outfits to themed days, if someone gets separated, you’ll easily be able to spot them and give identifiable information to others. This can also remind kids not to follow someone who does not match the group, bringing to mind “stranger danger.” 

Plus, fun or matching outfits can make for some adorable vacation pictures. 

Tip 4: Use glow sticks. 

Who said safety couldn’t be fun? Glow sticks are the perfect item for nighttime safety. Kids will love wearing them as necklaces or bracelets while being illuminated for others to see them. Consider putting glow sticks on any items necessary for child care, like strollers, so those can be visible to others.

Tip 5: Do a disinfectant sweep of your lodging. 

While we’d like to trust that our accommodations were adequately cleaned before arriving, that may not always be the case. At GameTruck, we value safety by cleaning all areas and equipment properly before the next party. If you have questions about our cleaning procedures, contact your local GameTruck. 

No one wants to get sick during or from their party; the same is true for vacation. Consider doing a disinfectant sweep through your lodging to protect your family from any nasty germs that could ruin your vacation. 

Vacations are fun and relaxing yet require a lot of preparation in many areas. Use one or all of these safety tips for kids to rock your family vacation, keeping your kids safe while having fun! 

Check out our previous blog post on “5 vacation ideas you need to try” for more ideas on how to make your family vacation memorable and enjoyable!

We all know that family time is essential, but sometimes, it can be challenging. Kids don’t cooperate. Those “easy, fool-proof” Pinterest projects fail miserably. Work can drain us. Life is hard, and sometimes it’s just too much.

If you know family time is important but are feeling beaten-down, exhausted, or overwhelmed, then this list is for you. Be encouraged. You’re doing a great job. It doesn’t have to be expensive, grand, or look Instagram worthy, but every moment you spend with them is priceless even if you can’t see the positive effects you’re having on your kids. This time is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. It comes in many forms: cuddles, in-depth conversations, game night, doing housework together, and many other things! 

Investing in your family can happen in both the mundane and the special planned events. So whether you’re planning a big family movie night or building forts together to keep them entertained, the quality time you spend with them being emotionally and physically present is invaluable. Here are eight ways you bless your kids through quality time. 

The next time you feel exhausted or defeated with family time, remember these eight ways that you are blessing your family and making them stronger. 

1. Children Perform Better Academically

Children with parents who invest in their academic careers tend to perform better academically. From helping with homework to teaching them how to learn or study, quality time spent in this way can increase your child’s success short and long term. 

2. It Can Lower the Risk of Behavioral Problems

When children feel connected to their parents, they’re more likely to seek advice or bring forward problems that may have otherwise remained unresolved. This is especially important as children enter adolescence. 

3. It Can Improve Relationship Dynamics

Family can be stressful and complex. It can be difficult to navigate, but continually investing in these relationships leads to stronger bonds, deeper connections, and a better understanding of one another. This can drastically improve relationship dynamics in the day-to-day. 

4. Children Learn Parenting Skills

“Little eyes.” “Little ears.” Children imitate us. Family time is a great way to model positive parenting skills that they can use in the future with their children and possibly currently with their siblings. 

5. Fulfills Emotional Needs

It can be hard to verbalize what we need. When the home is a safe and open place for the whole family, everyone can say what they need. Quality time helps meet the emotional needs of both parents and children through being emotionally present in these times. 

6. Promotes Spiritual Vibrancy

In a recent Barna study, one of the key factors researchers discovered for a spiritually vibrant home was whether or not a family spent time together. The more likely a family connected, the greater chances of genuine spiritual conversations and connections occurred. 

7. It Can Help Children Learn Emotional Regulation

How did you handle the last time your Pinterest project failed, or the kids refused to cooperate during family time? While incredibly frustrating, these are valuable teaching moments where children can learn emotional regulation by watching how you handle the situation. 

8. Models the Importance of Community

Family time allows for a genuine connection between everyone. During these times, someone may open up about a struggle or hardship they’re faced with. This can provide an opportunity for kids to learn how to put others first.

Family time may not always be picture-perfect. Things can get messy, thrown together last minute, or spontaneous, and that’s part of family time’s beauty. Family time looks different from family to family but still positively affect everyone. The next time you feel exhausted or defeated with family time, remember these eight ways that you are blessing your family and making them stronger.

If you’re looking for exciting ways to enhance your family time, consider hosting a GameTruck party. Learn more about our unique gaming experience and how it can create unforgettable memories for your family.

For more ideas on family activities, check out our blog post on “Creating Schedules for Children (6 Tips)“.

As a kid I never really understood how much planning my mom did each summer for our family. I never saw all the hard, behind-the-scene work she did to make to make each summer season a blast. It wasn’t until I became a mom that I learned. While summer is a never-ending-fun-fest for kids, it can be a stressful season for us moms as we scramble to find things for the kiddos to do while still being mindful of the bank account. That’s why a local vacation is perfect! Entertain the kids and yourself, keep your sanity, and build family memories all at a great price! Here are a few ideas to try this year from your friends at GameTruck.

Do some Nature classes!

National parks are a great summer idea especially if there’s one in your area. Many times they will offer free or very affordable classes and experiences. Kids can learn about various nature topics up close and personal from petting snakes to learning about foliage to the importance of conservation.

Try something unique to your town for a local vacation!

Is your community, village, town, or county known for something? If you if you’ve never tried it, then do it together as a family. For example one place that my family lived in had historic murals painted on the flood walls that depicted Ohio history. The artwork highlighted things that were unique and special to that Rivertown. In another place our town was home to Ohio’s oldest brewery, so as a family we ate there for the first time one summer. Maybe you live in a city that is known for a historic sporting stadium? See if you can attend a local game there. Maybe your county is known for its natural parks or monuments? Take a family trip to go see them.

Go to a Children’s museum for a local vacation

Children’s museums are a great opportunity for students to explore and express their creativity in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). They offer opportunities for sensory development and growth for children. Kids will have a blast playing and learning at the same time with other children. Most children’s museums are very affordable with all day passes and offer activities from painting to water tables to imaginative play.

Start a new family evening or once a week tradition!

Start a tradition that is unique and special to your family. For example with my family when Pokémon go was a big thing, we would go on family walks in the historic district of our town to catch Pokémon. It was an awesome time! The kids got to learn about local history, get exercise, and play Pokémon go with each other. Our family still talks about that summer to this day!

Celebrate art and music as part of your local vacation!

Check with your local community center to see what types of events that are going to be offered this season. Support local artists, musicians, and fans. Sometimes communities will put on free concerts for families to attend. Others will do artist alleys where families can tour paintings and drawings from local artists. These types of activities can introduce kids to different types of creative expression at a free or very affordable cost.

Local vacations are an awesome way to connect with your family and create new memories at a price that makes even the wallet smile. Try one, all, or customize this list for your family this summer to grow closer together with new experiences!